Condolences sent to Colombia

President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence on Tuesday to Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake rocked the South American nation on Monday, killing more than 200 people and injuring over 600.

In his message, Xi said he was deeply shocked to learn that a powerful earthquake had caused heavy casualties and significant property loss in Colombia. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, he expressed deep condolences over the deaths and extended sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured.

Xi also expressed confidence that under the leadership of the Colombian government led by de la Espriella, the Colombian people will make concerted efforts to overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes at an early date.

Meanwhile, the China International Development Cooperation Agency, which coordinates foreign aid missions, announced that the nation stands ready to provide assistance within its capabilities to support quake relief efforts in Colombia.

China is closely following the developments and will provide assistance in an appropriate manner based on Colombia's needs, agency spokeswoman Tang Ying said in an online statement on Tuesday.

Rescue efforts across western Colombia continued for a second day as emergency workers dug through the rubble of collapsed buildings in several cities and towns, including Pereira and Cali, amid grim expectations that the death toll from the country's most powerful earthquake in decades could rise.

According to the Colombian Geological Service, the quake hit at 7:34 am on Monday at a depth of 96 kilometers, with its epicenter identified near San Jose del Palmar in the department of Choco, about 400 km from Colombia's capital Bogota.

As much of Choco is accessible only by boat, through the jungle or by airplane, little was known about the extent of damage there.

De la Espriella, who has declared a state of national emergency, traveled to Choco's capital, Quibdo, on Monday night to assess the damage and announced that he had mobilized "the entire military and police apparatus" for relief and rescue operations.

Earlier in the day, he told reporters: "Our intention is to cooperate in any way necessary. Here, there are no distinctions or ideological divisions when it comes to defending our people or showing solidarity."

According to local media reports, 32 cities in the western region have been severely affected, while five departmental capitals — Pereira, Cali, Quibdo, Manizales and Armenia — continue to remain under red alert for aftershocks.

The quake has turned dozens of multistory buildings into piles of concrete and twisted metal in cities such as Pereira, and brought down the towers of a landmark cathedral in Manizales. In Cali, a city of about 2.2 million people, at least 85 people have been confirmed dead. Several floors​ of a city hospital collapsed during the temblor, trapping​ many patients.

Seven airports in western Colombia have suspended operations due to structural damage. A video posted on social media ‌and verified by Reuters showed the Cali airport swaying violently and people scurrying for shelter amid collapsing chunks of concrete.

On Monday, the Chinese embassy in Bogota activated an emergency response mechanism to assess the safety of Chinese nationals. No casualties among Chinese citizens were reported as of press time on Tuesday.

The powerful earthquake was also felt in Ecuador and Venezuela, which share their borders with Colombia. In June, two back-to-back temblors in Venezuela had killed more than 6,300 people.

Agencies contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at liujianqiao@chinadaily.com.cn